Zeneli Pizzeria e Cucina Napoletana

While every restaurant on this street had a 45-70 minute wait, the wait here was only 10 minutes and I’d bet this food was twice as good as anywhere else on the block. I loved that there’s no dedicated waiter/waitress. Whoever is around, helps you and it’s a great team atmosphere/effort. The food was phenomenal. The meatballs were so good we didn’t even get a picture of them before we demolished them. The pasta, cheese, and all the garnish on my pasta was so fresh I struggle to describe it. The pasta texture was perfection. The meat and sauce were mixed in expertly while the basil garnish took the plate to the next level. Pizzas were also delicious. The portions are definitely sharable. I don’t’ want to use the word “fresh” or “perfect” too many times, but it’s the best way to describe everything we experienced here.

We love homemade and fresh which is exactly what was delivered at Zeneli's. They have indoor and outdoor seating which was nice. The homemade bread and ricotta with honey was amazing! Highly recommend. Our pizza was good as well with the buffalo mozzarella. Quick in and out dinner that was delicious. Parking can be a challenge as it is a very busy area.

The true Italian pasta and pizza! A lovely ambient and food taste homemade, unique flavors! . If you come you must try the meatballs and the limoncello cake! They are amazing ! Would definitely come back to try more things!

Solid Italian spot in the CT area. The pizza is more Italian style and the dough is very chewy and flavorful. Their red sauce is delicious as well and very fresh. The pasta honestly wasn't my favorite and I've had better elsewhere, but the pizza and red sauce was the real highlights.

We had dinner at Zaneli a few weeks ago — it was the BEST pizza I’ve ever eaten in the USA! I’m Italian (but I live in CT), so I know what I’m talking about! The staff was very friendly and I really liked the location. It seems like they’re always busy, which is a good sign! We had two appetizers and two pizzas — everything was amazing! I hope to come back soon for another great pizza!

My family and I had lunch at Zeneli and honestly, it was one of the best meals we've had in a long time. The pizza tasted exactly like the ones we’ve had in Italy – fresh ingredients, perfect crust, and so full of flavor. What made the experience even more special was the story behind the place. The restaurant was started by four Albanian brothers who learned their craft in Naples and brought that passion and expertise to New Haven. When they found out we were Albanians from the same hometown, they came over to greet us – it felt like meeting old friends. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, the food was outstanding, and you could feel the love and tradition in every bite. We’ll definitely be coming back and recommending it to everyone we know!

Zeneli is a hidden gem in New Haven’s historic Italian district, often considered the pizza capital of the U.S. While most tourists crowd into long lines at the more famous spots, Zeneli offers a truly authentic and memorable experience. This family-run pizzeria is small and cozy, but there’s also a lovely additional pavilion for seating. The owner is incredibly warm and welcoming, and the service is fast and attentive. The pizza is fresh, flavorful, and clearly made with care — you can taste the quality in every bite. We were especially surprised by the Nutella pizza — not just a treat for kids, but a hit with adults too. Zeneli honors the Italian heritage of Wooster Street with its roots and recipes, and stands out for its hospitality and heart. If you’re looking for real pizza in the true Italian spirit, skip the lines and come here. We’ll definitely be back!

Everyone has their recommendations when I arrived in the pizza capital of the US, and I didn't follow any of them. I did my own research based on Google reviews and must say that I was not left disappointed with my choice. Zeneli's was as authentic Italian pizza as you will get. The san marzano tomato sauce, the bufala mozzarella, fresh basil leaves, and spicy salami were all fresh and fantastic. The dough and the cook were perfect. This made for a wonderful bite. The staff was friendly and truly customer focused. If you're in the New Haven area and looking for the best pizza, my vote would go to Zeneli's.

Came in for a dinner at the end of last week and was quickly seated on a busy (and hot) night. The oven was doing double-time work and the staff was also buzzing around the place trying to keep everyone with fresh water, great wine, and wonderful Italian food. I will say we were served a little slower than I would like, but I totally understand given the number of customers both inside and outside the restaurant at the time. But, the pizza was divine. Like: people always tell me about New Haven pizza and I haven't quite felt as connected to it as everyone who raves. But this was my favorite pizza I've had in New Haven. I liked it way more than Pepe's or Sally's, honestly. It was fast, the crust was paper thin, the sauce not acidic and not too sweet, and the toppings quite fresh and rustic. Really beautiful, and with that wonderful smokey aroma you get from a wood-fired oven. Overall, a wonderful meal and I can't wait to come back!

Best pizza ever! We went from another pizzeria that had a two hour wait to this place recommended from another tourist. Best decision! Family owned place that takes pride in their food!

Can't say enough good things about this place. Our second annual trip here from NC. We didn't get try Zeneli last summer. It's now my number 1! As good as what we had in Naples. Service was excellent too! Can't wait to return next summer.

Service was superb, the ambience was lovely, even though the huge crowd made the restaurant a bit loud. The real star was the freshness and deliciousness of the food. As always, the items on the menu were so enticing that even the people around us were ordering the same things we did. Parking is a bit difficult, but well worth it to patiently find a spot.

Holy moly! The pizza here is fire!! I've had Frank Pepe's both in Boston and in New Haven, and I feel like I've been missing out! We got the Bufalina and the Margherita pizzas, and both were amazing. The crusts had a perfect amount of blackening. The bufala mozzarella is really something you need to try if you haven't had it. Very unique and very good. The margherita is very simple, but there is truly beauty in the simplicity. Sauce, cheese, crust, all fantastic. For the Bufalina, my one complaint is that the prosciutto really comes off in one bite, leaving the rest of the bites of each slice prosciutto-less. Cherry tomatoes were so good. Service was excellent. The seating areas are also great. They have so much seating, both indoor and outdoor.

This place is packed all the time and for good reason. I'm not really a fan of neopolitan pizza (i prefer pizza that i can fold) but this place is good. I think the standout is the sauce, it's one of those things where you take a bite and think WOW... that's something special.

This place was excellent - great service and a good to die for . Here's what we had : 1) bofalina pizza - the dough is incredible . Amazing . I have so many superlatives . The tomato sauce was to die for . And the persecute . 6 stars 2) ricotta e Miele - wife enjoyed it very much. The ricotta was incredible . 3) pizza margarita - classic and excellent . Very very good All together we had a blast and will come back for sure to try other options in the menu ! The Neapolitan pizzas were as good as they come

Looking for a slice of Italy? This is the place for fresh pasta and Naples style pizza; NOT to be mistaken for New Haven's famous brick oven pizza. Service is great, history of the restaurant is beautiful and ambiance is quaint. Dessert is 10/10 as well!

The service: I went in for the first time and got recommended a personal pizza. The interaction was nice. Might have been with the owner or manager. It was a take out order and when I was told to sign, I did not tip... as it was only take out. Got my food quickly and left. The pizza: Mid. Very thin bread. Barely any cheese. The taste was good but it was not filling and left me wanting more. Definitely not worth $20. My complaint: I checked my bank statement randomly and noticed these people had the nerve to self-add a 20% tip to my payment!!! I wrote a 0 with a slash through the middle as well as the total so there was no confusion. I called to speak to the manager and the lady who I spoke to, hung up on me!!! I called back and was told the manager would only be in another day. So now I have to call up my bank and report them. First and last time I would come to this establishment. The audacity is mind-blowing. I don't see them lasting long if they continue robbing their customers. First time in my life this has happened to me. Crazy!!!

Skipped the line at Sally's to support a highly recommended alternative! Boy was I glad I did! Staff was immediately 100x more friendly and made sure to seat us as quickly as possible! Of all the New Haven pizzas have had... this place has been the best! Relatively small location with a small parking lot and 3 separate seating areas. I wouldn't recommend a group of more than 5-6 as the seating areas are pretty tight. Perfect location for a casual date! Now to the food! The Margherita was perfect is almost every way! Perfect amount of sauce without making the crust soggy. Crust was soft, airy, and light, yet still filling, maintained structure when folded, had that light burnt taste every good crust should have. Close your eyes and take a bite and you might forget that you're having a slice in New Haven! Comparable to my fave spots in NYC! The Tre Carni was a bit soggy but the taste made up for its inability to hold structure and the soggy crust. Not shown was the Spaghetti Al Pomodoro which was delightful to share and the freshly grated parmesan on top was a nice touch! For a party of 4 the 2 pies, spaghetti, and the appetizer was plenty for a light to medium dinner with room for dessert! Looking forward to coming back to Zeneli's in the near future!

The Cacio Pepe was really delicious. Service was decent. We sat outside in a covered bench that may have given a different experience to being inside. The gnocchi was ok, but I'm not a huge fan of tasting the tin of tomato sauce cans in my food, but I know some people enjoy that nostalgic taste.

5/5 Amazing food, very friendly staff. Although the restaurant was packed, wasn't too loud at all. Got 2 pies and ended with nutella pizza. Amazing!

Had a delicious lunch today three different kinds of pizzas all New Haven style and I had a wonderful service from the owner and three other employees. Outstanding restaurant and great service.

What a great spot! We were lucky enough to order ahead and get a cheese pizza on a very busy Saturday night. The service was awesome. We were told 10 minutes before pick -up and the pizza was ready when we arrived. It was very busy inside the restaurant and bar area. There is a small hut-like area that is built on the sidewalk, which was full of customers. I would guess there are 5-6 tables with great lighting and plenty of room. The hut was inviting on this beautiful fall night. The vibe that the staff has created inside of Zeneli is palpable. Everyone had a smile on their face. The kitchen was rocking. Pizza was great. Cooked the way we like it....dough was fresh, sauce was tasty! This is a place that I would love to come back to. To sit down and have a full service experience would be awesome. Price was cheap ($14 for a pizza) Parking was great....parked out front Ambience was fantastic Service was 5-star

For four of us, we ordered two pizzas and an arugula salad which to be honest was not enough. Note that the pizzas are very thin so I don't think you're able to get full on just the pizza. Both pizzas were pretty yummy and flimsy so it is hard to pick up like normal to eat. I liked the margarita pizza, so simple and tasty. The arugula salad is very delightful, I really enjoyed the parmesan used. They have two separate dining rooms for when it gets busy which I love since the main one is super small. Service was pretty good and our food came out fairly quickly.

I was very excited to try this pizza place in New Haven, after reading the reviews. There were many many 5 star reviews, so I thought...the pizza should be Excellent. The food turned out to be ok. Nothing extraordinary. The staff was very polite and professional. Rushed because how busy they were, but very attentive. Our Margherita pizza lacked any "wow" factor to deserve a 5 star review...good it was...excellent....not...

Fabulous pizza- - light, thin, and crispy crust, perfect Napoli pizza. The flavor is perfect, just like I remember from Italy. The service is fast and the servers are kind- love that they speak Italian. The ambiance is casual yet romantic. Highly recommend this place. Authentic Italian food.

Food, service, Wooster st ambiance. Hard working family making everything from scratch including their mozzarella, best Gnocchi in the state and split their own wood in their not so, spare time - to fire up their pizza oven! Best pizza and food in the iconic Little Italy section or all of New Haven!

Amazing meal at this gem of a restaurant! I love the fact that it is family owned and the family members are always working. They are very friendly and service is fast. The pizzas, the honey toast, the arugula salad, and the gnocchi...all were phenomenal. The gnocchi was light and the sauce was delicious. The arugula salad had a very light oil and cheese that was so fresh!

Based on the high ratings I should have loved this place. Maybe I hit it at the wrong time? The margherita pizza looked undercooked and was very floppy. The meatball appetizer wasn't bad. Service was good though.

Like everyone else in Little Italy we were there for the pizza. After realizing we would have over an hour wait at a few other spots we stumbled upon Zeneli's. We were lucky to get a table (in the outside space) immediately! The salad was so fresh and tasty with a light lemon drizzle. Our two pizzas were fantastic! We highly recommend the Tres Carne! We had room for dessert (2 pizzas for 4 people) so we ordered one of each. The Nutella pizza with strawberries was so yummy but that Limoncello cake! Oh my! Best best best dessert we've ever had! We had multiple different wait staff take care of us so I can't really compliment one specially but we were well taken care of. We WILL return!

Went here for my birthday and it was amazing! Usually come to New Haven for Pepe's or Sally's and I wanted to try something new. It's 100% worth going to. Those other places are classic American Italian pizza and this is real Italian pizza. Got the nutella pizza and that was really good too. 10/10

Best pizza in New Haven by farm. Can't beat the freshness of the ingredients they use and the authentic Italian style.

We have been looking forward to trying this restaurant for literally over a year now. We even actually waited in line one day for an extended period of time until we had to go because we had other plans. The fact that they are always so busy, we thought it'd be fantastic pizza. We finally ordered a small pepperoni -takeout- from them and I hate to say it but, what a disappointment! It was thoroughly uncooked and the pepperoni is not typical, it tastes kind of like bacon. Biggest complaint: The pizza was very undercooked and cold when I picked it up. New Haven style pizza should be at least a little crispy. See the photos. On a nicer note, It was the first time I've been inside their dining room and I have to say, it looked very nice.

I've been here twice so far, and both times were great experiences! The first time I came for my birthday with my family and the food was delicious! We liked it so much that I came again a few months later for a date night. We tried their pizzas, their pastas, their appetizers, their wine, their beer... everything was amazing!!!! Can't go wrong here. All the staff are so friendly and welcoming. Definitely check it out if you're in New Haven.

OMG - what a gem! We ordered two margherita pies. Fresh tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella. A crust with char and chew. The restaurant holds its own on Wooster Street, alongside the giants down the street. Pleasant atmosphere and a full bar. Prompt and friendly service. Highly recommend!

Family owned & operated. Super clean. Quick & friendly service. Very fresh and flavorful! You will not be disappointed!

Neapolitan style pizzeria. No reservations or waitlist. First come first serve. We started with the arugula salad. The arugula was mild and not as bold as I expected. It had a light simple dressing and was topped with plenty reggiano parmigiana. For the main course, we shared the diavolina pie. The undercarriage is soft and flimsy in the middle as is common with a traditional Neapolitan pie. I wouldn't blame someone for eating it with a fork and knife which is the proper way to eat pizza in Naples! The cornicione is more sturdy. Not as airy as I hoped but still a nice, chewy texture. The toppings are classic with the addition of spicy salami which added some spiciness and subtle smokiness. They were very busy on a Saturday night and the staff was bustling! Pricing was reasonable at about $40 for the salad, pizza, tax, and tip. We sat in their outdoor dining patio which was very comfortable given that the temperature was perfect that night. They had two single occupancy restrooms. No beers on draft. Just a few macros in bottles.

Not your typical New Haven-style pizza, but if you're a pizza lover, this place is a must-try. We were so impressed that we visited twice in a 4-day span. Everything we ordered was delicious. On our first visit, we had the Diavolina pizza, which was outstanding. On the second day, we enjoyed the meatballs and the Dolce Salato, both of which were fabulous and hit the spot. The service was better on our second visit, but overall, we were pleased with how they managed the crowd.

Really solid pizza. Growing up in the New Haven area, a pizza tour is a must each time I come back up from Austin. Went with the Tartufella pie, black truffle cream and mushroom cream, sweet Italian sausage, fresh white truffle cream. Delicious, great chew. The meatballs, avoid these. Otherwise, entire experience is a 5 star. These equal a meatball rubber sponge. We took one bite and passed them back to our friend. Positive you could bounce them off a wall. Great atmosphere and friendly staff. Will return for all their other goodies!

Delicious. The staff was very kind and hardworking. The food was so so good. Don't leave without having the Nutella Pizza!

This restaurant is so underrated as it is right across from pepe's and sally's. I've been to every pizza restaurant in New Haven and this one has been my favorite. It has a homey vibe and the crust is so chewy and soft. One of my favorite spots.

I'm from Italy, and this pizza truly makes me feel at home. The service is warm and kind, and the atmosphere reminds me of a classic pizzeria back home. 10/10 - highly recommended!

Delicious delicious food and would definitely come again! The inside is smaller but very cozy and homey -- they don't take reservations so there might be a wait if there's a busier day. Service is great and the staff are very friendly. Ricotta e miele: amazing! Ricotta on top of toasted bread with honey spread across it. The ricotta simply melts in your mouth. Wonderful combination of sweet and savory. Fresh burrata: was also a major fan of this dish! It had arugula and tomatoes but the star was the fresh burrata, which they gave a generous amount of. Salsicciotta: pizza with sweet sausage and mushrooms (also red sauce, mozzarella, and basil). We also enjoyed this -- it is thin crust, and the bottom of the pizza is on the softer end (unlike Sally's for example).

Fabulous experience here yet once again! Came a little over a year ago and never reviewed but returned and was thrilled from start to finish and service is super attentive. Ordered 2 pizzas, margherita and a sausage one and they were both exquisite with a crust that is so fluffy but yet crisp and cooked to a great texture. We ended our experience with fireworks comprised of their limoncello cake and their hot chocolate. Cannot wait to go back to Wooster Street for Zenelis!! These brothers are running a smooth operation with quality ingredients and service.

I love how authentic the food is, how great the owners are, how quickly the pizza is ready, that the cheese is homemade right there. I love everything about it! It's a small spot, but service is quick and food comes out fast so tables turnover fairly quickly as well. There's some outside seating and a bar so you can enjoy a drink or some wine with your dinner. The restaurant and restrooms are clean. All of the ingredients taste super fresh and I've enjoyed everything I've ever tried here! I went after the St. Patrick's Day parade on my last visit, which was too long ago. I need to get back here! I love the story of the brothers who own this great spot, and put all their heart and soul into the food and perfecting their craft.

Well, I have my favorites but this place has found a permanent spot at the top! Excellent! Fresh, fresh everything. Outstanding service and quality. Warm and exceptionally clean!! The owners are incredible!!!! Must go back.... Perrelliphoto.com Instagram

Two thumbs enthusiastically up. Went there last night coming back from Cape Cod and had to stop on Wooster Street for the pizza. It was the first time the family went to Zeneli. Last year it was Frank Pepe and this year Zeneli. Honestly, this was the best pizza I ever had in my life. My wife, who normally does not like pizza loved it. Everything on our pizza was perfect. The crust was nice and thin. The sauce was savory and not sugary sweet like some places. We were impressed by the variety of pizza offered and tried the Bufalina, tre carne and capricciosa. For dessert, we had the limonella cake with honey. Wow! That was good too! Absolutely no complaints on the food. Overall, the dining experience was great. Our wait staff was very kind and took care of us. I accidentally knocked over a drink onto my son's pasta dish and not only did they cleaned up the table, we got another drink and a fresh plate of pasta. We sat out in the patio and the atmosphere was just so chill. We weren't even rushed to leave. It was a perfect way to end our vacation. When we left, the kids asked when we were coming back.

We arrived at about 4pm on a lovely Sunday afternoon. They sat us immediately where we preferred in the festive structure out front (there is one on the side, too, which might be nice since it's a little more open-air) and they brought us everything we ordered in head-spinningly short order. The ricotta toast with honey was very special and the sausage & mushroom pizza was just right! Mmmm. Run by brothers with other family members also working, this place is top top quality!

Of all the joints on Wooster St turning out "ah-beetz" Zeneli's is hands down makes the most delicious pies IMHO. Freshness of ingredients, just the right amount of char on the crust, the use of excellent tomatoes for sauce & great cheeses make for a wonderful pie. Crust is both chewy & tender. Pies are sized just right for 2 to share, add a nice fresh green salad & a bottle of reasonably priced vino & you've won the trifecta. Our large group had great service. Interior & exterior rustic & clean. Excellent experience.

This is a definite go if you're in town. There are many eateries around and good thing we listened to our friend about this restaurant because it was delicious!!! Pizza was awesome but the best item is the Ricotta e Miele, small bite but magical, a must have. Restaurant is on the smaller side and parking (street) can be hectic if you go during dinner hours. Service is fast paced so be ready to order. Make sure to enjoy an espresso after your meal.

If Modern, Sally's, and Frank Pepe's are the New Haven Holy Trinity of New Haven style pizza, better known to the locals as apizza, then Zeneli, Da Legna, and Ernie's must be the B squad. This time around the B squad is getting the Matthew S. pizza treatment, or in the case of New Haven, the apizza treatment. The pizza here is solid, very solid. It is tasty and the crust is very chewy. This is more a true Neapolitan style than the other styles in this city. Everything tasted fresh and delicious. The ripened tomatoes on the Bufalina pie I got, I wish were not there. It is one of the reasons this pie falls just short of great, and settles for very good. If the lines are long, wipe away those tears and stop in here and eat some pizza at Zeneli.

Awful water, meh pizza, one green on salad, high prices, I don't understand the fuss. The servers are nice but overworked.

Excellent food and service. We ordered pizza, casa de pepe Pasta, Stella and Gnocchi. Everything is recommended. Server are quick and bring fresh everything. Basil on pasta and pizza is just superb idea. Will comeback again! Nice place to sit inside or outside. Parking could be a bit tricky but there are enough choices available on the street parking.

WOW. Some of the best Italian food I have ever eaten. This place is such a gem! I highly recommend getting the appetizer toast with ricotta and honey. Also, you can't go wrong with any of their pizzas. It's thin crust and extremely tasty dough. The prices are super reasonable for the insane quality and we had leftovers to take home. The wait for a table was wayyy more reasonable than the neighboring pizza spots and the service was impeccable. It's a small-ish restaurant space so tables' conversations do bleed into each others' but we were there for the food, not really the ambiance. It was clear that most patrons were there for the incredible food as well. I'll be dreaming of coming back!

Really amazing food with great service in a super cute space. I would come here all the time if I was a local, everything was so fresh and delicious. You might have to wait a little as there's not a ton of space, but it's really worth it.

The food was absolutely delicious fresh ingredients, perfectly cooked, and full of flavor. The service was also outstanding: friendly, quick, and very professional. The best pizza spot I've been to!

Such good pizza! The dough and crust were extremely good and authentic. We had the meatballs, the tre carni pizza, the brocoletta, and the Margarita pizza. All were delicious! The service always quick and nice too.

We been visiting this place since they open, 3owners (brother) are the nicest always very responsive and attentive on their clients. Food is really good(all of them) we been coming back here to eat some Pizza (Napoli pizza ), pasta and wine , we can recommend this place to all my friends and family and who ever the people ask us, the place is small but we can manage.